Quick Green Reads For The Weekend Volume Eighty Four.

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Well, my wife is going to Chicago and I will have the house to myself for a week – I am sure she is afraid that she will come back to some newfangled project that I will create while she is gone! While I think about what to spend my time on this week, check out the news…

The offshore drilling ban that became a flash point in the U.S. presidential election looks set to expire next week after Democrats decided to drop the prohibition from a temporary spending bill that would keep the government running. Great idea – lets allow offshore drilling in a place hit by hurricanes each year and that will not produce noticeable amounts of oil for 20 years. Yes!

The Environmental Protection Agency has decided there’s no need to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has fouled public water supplies around the country. The ingredient, perchlorate, has been found in at least 395 sites in 35 states at levels high enough to interfere with thyroid function and pose developmental health risks, particularly for babies and fetuses, according to some scientists. (Seriously? No need to rid drinking water of rocket fuel?)

The House passed the “No Child Left Inside Act” last week, a bill that would put more federal dollars towards environmental education. The act would provide $500 million in federal dollars, over the next five years, to strengthen environmental education programs in public schools. (That is great news, finally something to get kids outside rather than watching TV all afternoon)

We assume that if it’s on the shelf in the grocery store it’s safe, but there are few specific safety standards for personal care products. The FDA is involved in products that fall into the “drug” category of personal care, like toothpaste or sunscreen. When you see a listing for “active ingredient,” that usually means the product is classified as a drug, and is then subject to FDA scrutiny. But the FDA has no authority over products intended for cosmetic use. (Of course! I mean, who would want oversight on products we use on our bodies!)

I’ve met quite a few people that don’t have the slightest interest in pursuing a green lifestyle. They would sooner pour crude oil in their eyes than live by the light of a compact fluorescent bulb. People can be reluctant, apathetic or flat out lazy about lifestyle changes that hint of making even the slightest impact on their life, regardless if that impact is good or bad. I know because I am a former reluctant, apathetic, lazy bastard, still am sometimes, but getting better, and I’ve got a message for the rest of those people. (Great post from my friend Dave over at The Greeniest, it’s a must read.)